Grand Valley 'Dashing' to success

Grand Valley State University students have decided in huge numbers that saving money, the environment and their sanity is good reason to ride the bus.

The DASH to the Hill shuttle saw an increase of 333 percent from September 2002 to September 2003. Ridership totals went from 6,901 in September 2002 to 29,909 for the same month in 2003. An amazing increase of 23,008 passengers.

'We've created a culture of transit,' explained Lisa Haynes, director of operations Pew Campus and regional centers. 'We have increased the frequency of routes and extended hours and weekend service, but it takes more than just increased service. You have to create a culture that embraces public transportation.'

To coincide with the opening of the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences in August 2003, Grand Valley began operating the DASH to the Hill/CHS shuttle, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Parking Services and the Rapid. The route modified the former DASH to the Hill route to incorporate Grand Valley's building.

Grand Valley is committed to solving all parking challenges including the one in the Michigan Hill area. The ridership numbers illustrate the success of the program, but Haynes said the program itself illustrates the spirit of cooperation that made it possible.

'The willingness to have three separate entities, the city, the Rapid and Grand Valley, all come together as a team is what made the improved service and ridership possible,' Haynes said.

The three entities also got a great deal of help from students. 'Believe it or not, 'bus buddies' have become a norm for many Grand Valley students,' explained Rachael Voorhees, president of Grand Valley's Student Senate.

Voorhees cites saving time, money and frustration, as well as protecting the environment as reasons for riding the shuttle and the Campus Connector, the bus that runs between the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses.

'We love it,' said Voorhees. 'Its normal to be packed into Campus Connector buses, with conversations flying, and forget the 25 minute ride between the campuses. The Student Senate has been a strong advocate for mass transit, and students are quickly embracing the opportunities available to us because of the ease, convenience and reliability.'

The love affair with the Campus Connector is born out with an increase in ridership of nearly 53 percent. Ridership during September 2002 was 28,842. It increased to 44,013 in September of 2003.

'We are very pleased with the tremendous increase in students riding the buses,' said Tim Schad, Grand Valley's vice president for finance. 'We as a university community are joining together on a continual basis to address our transportation and parking needs. The tough economy and the growing pressure on resources demand that Grand Valley be creative and forward thinking, and the bus system is just one way we are doing that.'